We already wrote about holiday pop-up bars to visit this year, but if you’re looking for something a little less booze-focused, check out the following events.
Ice Skating at Forest Park
Through Dec. 31, Steinberg Skating Rink, 400 Jefferson Drive, St. Louis, steinbergrink.com
Take a spin on the ice at Forest Park’s outdoor rink, Steinberg Skating Rink. Bring your own ice skates or take advantage of the rink’s on-site skate rental. Tickets available online.
The Polar Express Train Ride
Through Dec. 30 – St. Louis Union Station, 201 S. 18th St., St. Louis, stlpolarexpressride.com
Throughout December, visit St. Louis Union Station to experience a train ride full of holiday magic. Take a ride that will deliver passengers to the North Pole as well as interact with characters from The Polar Express and Santa and his elves. Ticket prices vary. Tickets available online or by phone at 314.942.6942.
Brewery Lights
Through Dec. 30, Anheuser-Busch, 1200 Lynch St., St. Louis, budweisertours.com/stltours
All month long you can take a tour of the more than one million holiday lights adorning the Anheuser-Busch St. Louis Brewery. This annual event is back for its 39th year, and experiences range from the light tour to fire pit rental packages and s’mores kits. Tickets available online.
Pancakes with Santa
Dec. 14, 15 21, 22 – St. Louis Union Station, 201 S. 18th St., St. Louis, stlpolarexpressride.com/pancakes-with-santa
Every Saturday and Sunday in December, guests have an opportunity to eat breakfast with jolly ol’ Saint Nick in Union Station’s Grand Hall. Guests will enjoy pancakes topped with strawberries in the shape of a hat and a whipped cream Santa Claus face. Pancakes with Santa is an event that requires reservations, with two seatings each day.
Dickens Pop-Up Dinner
Dec. 12 – Eckert’s Farm, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville, eckerts.com
Head to Eckert’s Belleville farm to experience a Dickens-themed pop-up dinner. The events will feature an elegant and unique dining experience inspired by classic English fare. Tickets available online.
Voodoo Christmas
Dec. 15 – 1 to 4 p.m., 4 Hands Brewing Co., 1220 S. Eighth St., St. Louis, swadecannabis.com
Swade Cannabis is hosting a first-of-its-kind holiday event in St. Louis at 4 Hands Brewing Co. The experience includes live music from Sean Canan’s Voodoo Players, a jam-band style group celebrating a wide variety of artists, and holiday shopping from local vendors specializing in vintage clothing, handblown glassware, screen prints, jewelry and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to take pictures with one of St. Louis’ hospitality heroes, “Sumpta Santa,” Sump Coffee’s owner Scott Carey dressed as Santa Claus. Free admission.
Lafayette Square Holiday Parlor Tours
Dec. 15 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., multiple locations in Lafayette Square, lafayettesquare.org
This ticketed event grants access to self-guided tours of 11 homes, as well as carriage rides in the park, trolley stops around the neighborhood and shopping at the Lafayette Square Holiday Market. Tickets available online.
Feast of the Seven Fishes
Dec. 22 – Madrina, 101 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, madrinastl.com
Madrina will host a traditional Italian-American meal called Feast of the Seven Fishes. This traditional meal is prepared for the Christmas holiday and Madrina’s chef Max Crask has developed a seafood menu that includes octopus carpaccio, lobster cioppino, whole-roasted fresh catch acqua pazza and more. In addition, advanced sommelier Alisha Blackwell-Calvert will curate optional wine pairings. Reservations are required and can be made online until Dec. 19.
Museum of Illusions
City Foundry STL, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 168, St. Louis, 314.300.7147, moistlouis.com
Grab dinner and drinks at City Foundry STL’s food hall then head over to the Museum of Illusions. Exhibits include perspective-shifting rooms, along with images and installations that teach visitors that not everything is as it seems. Ticket available online or in person.
This article appears in December 2024.